Confinement of breeding sows is one of the most controversial issues in livestock production (1). In the United States, the majority (~70%) of sows are housed in confinement facilities (1,2). The most common housing system for pregnant sows is gestation stalls (2,3). Gestation stalls were developed in the 1960s and gained popularity because they allow for better management and observation of sows with respect to nutrition, health, and disease compared to extensive systems (e.g. pens). As well, from an economic point of view, gestation stalls maximize the number of pigs weaned per year per sow most cost-effectively (3,6). However, from a welfare standpoint, gestation stalls restrict sows’ opportunity to exercise, socially interact, and interact with the environment (1). Most commercial stalls in the UK and US are designed around static space requirements, thus only provide the minimum space required for averagely sized sows and are all similar in design and measurements (58 x 213cm; 2,4). Designs did not take into consideration the amount of space required by sows to stand up, lay down, or turn around (4). (more…)